His Best Friend's Wife (Bachelor Best Friends 2)

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Renae was just about to turn in when her cell phone buzzed that evening. She didn’t have to check the screen before answering. “Hello?”

“I hope it’s not too late to call, but I wanted to wish you a last-minute happy Thanksgiving.”

Though she told herself she hadn’t been waiting for this call, she knew she wasn’t being entirely honest. As much as she hated to admit it, she would have been disappointed if Evan hadn’t called.

“It’s not too late. How was your Thanksgiving with your family?”

“It was nice. I ate too much.”

She laughed softly, aware of how quiet it was in her home where everyone slept but her. “So did I. But that’s part of the holiday, I guess.”

“Yeah. I didn’t say I regretted it.”

She chuckled again.

“Did the kids have a good time?” he asked, his voice a pleasant murmur in her ear.

She closed her eyes, picturing Evan in front of her as she answered. “They did. They were shamelessly indulged today. I’ll probably have to remind them of a few rules tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to work tomorrow?”

“No, the office is closed to give us all a long weekend before the end-of-the-year-appointments madness.”

“Tate and I let our crews take off today, but the rest of the weekend they’ll be busy making sure all the Christmas displays we contracted are completed.”

Supported by the pillows behind her back, Renae leaned against her headboard, drawing her knees up in front of her. She was already dressed in pajamas and the room was lit only by the dimmed lamp on the nightstand, adding an air of intimacy to the quiet conversation.

“Leslie insists we should put up our Christmas tree this weekend, because all her friends’ families decorate their trees the weekend after Thanksgiving,” she said dryly. “We use an artificial tree because of Lucy’s allergies, so at least it won’t be a fire hazard during the next month.”

“If you need any help hanging lights or anything, you could always give me a call. For you—no charge,” he said lightly.

Oh, yeah, like that was going to happen. He had to know she wouldn’t call, but maybe he was only teasing with the offer.

“Thanks,” she said, her tone matching his, “but we can manage the tree and a door wreath. We don’t go overboard with holiday decorations, though the kids would probably love a big, splashy display.”

“Yeah, well, you have my number if you change your mind.”

She responded with a noncommittal mumble.

“Have you heard about that big walk-through holiday light display that’s opening tomorrow night? The one at the community center?”

“Yes, of course.” One of the small towns surrounding Little Rock had advertised the light display at their community center ex

tensively. She planned to take the twins to see it.

“Price-Daugherty was responsible for designing and implementing it,” he informed her. “Maybe you’d like to come to the lighting ceremony with me tomorrow? Why don’t you bring the kids? I think they’d get a kick out of it.”

“I, uh—” She bit her lower lip. She’d convinced herself that Evan was teasing about offering to help her string lights, but this offer was unmistakable. Evan was actually suggesting that they have an outing with her kids.

She was so not ready for all the complications that would come with that. Fortunately, Renae had a genuine reason to decline Evan’s invitation—this time.

“Thank you, but we’ve already made plans with Lucy tomorrow afternoon, and there’s a kids’ party tomorrow evening.”

He sounded more resigned than displeased when he responded. “I understand. It was a last-minute invitation. Maybe we can do it some other time before Christmas?”

She bit her lip again, so hard she was half-surprised she didn’t taste blood. She couldn’t commit to any plans involving the twins until she talked to Lucy. And she wasn’t ready to do that until she knew what was happening between her and Evan.